Internships in Bangalore, India

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Bangalore is known as the Silicon Valley of India, so if tech is your type then you're in the right place. Many internship openings in Bangalore will be with small start-ups. This can be a highly rewarding opportunity as you will get to learn a wide range of skills relevant to making a business succeed.

This vibrant city is considered more culturally diverse and youthful than many other Indian cities. One way this diversity shows itself in the wide range of dining options, so take full advantage. Not everything will be too spicy.

Along with the creative culinary attractions, Bangalore offers modern art museums, parks and botanical gardens, and bustling markets. With all this, plus relatively low living costs, Bangalore is a great place to jump start your career.

Internships abound in Web Development, Graphic Design, Programming, and Computer Engineering. You'll also find plenty of positions in Sales and Marketing. The companies offering these spots will range from small start-ups to big businesses with world-wide name recognition.

It is possible to find internships in other fields in Bangalore, but they'll be harder to come by. Fashion Design, Interior Design, Biology, Chemistry, Photography, and Architecture are all few and far between.

Web Development, Programming, and Computer Engineering

Interns for positions that involve any kind of programming or coding skills will need to have experience in multiple technologies. HTML and Javascript are a couple of the major ones, but most companies will use an additional one or two languages or programs.

Some examples include PHP, CSS, MySQL, Python, Django, Ajex, Bootstrap, jQuery, and Angular. It's a good idea to stay up to date on advances in as many of these as possible, but choose a few to practice enough to be considered proficient.

The organizations that require this kind of prior knowledge expect you to have the basics down so they can spend time on the culture and mission of the company. After an initial orientation, you'll probably spend much of your time managing websites, testing for any issues or user experience, and data analytics.

Graphic Design, Interior Design, Photography, and Architecture

Design fields will utilize computer skills almost as much as programming, but the software requirements differ. Skills in Photoshop and Illustrator are must-haves. Others include AutoCAD, Adobe Flash and After Effects, MS-Office Suite, UX and UI Design, and SketchUp

In Graphic Design positions, you can expect to spend your workdays designing advertisements for print and online, creating videos. You'll probably also need to test anything you design for user-friendliness on mobile, tablet, and desktop. Future architects won't just be watching from the sidelines. You will have opportunities to do architectural drawings, detailing, and planning. Interior Designers might need some experience in sales.

When and Where to Look for an Internship

Your planning process should start in earnest six months or more before you want to start your internship in Bangalore. The first step, if you haven't done it already, is to perfect your resume. Ask people to look it over and give advice. You can also work on a general cover letter, but you will definitely want to customize each letter to fit the company to which you're applying.

If you have enough previous experience to create an online portfolio, that's a good idea as well. You might not need it, but it's better to be over-prepared than under.

One last thing you can do to prepare before you start applying to internships is to make a list of at least three companies that have everything you're looking for. Understand why you would want to work for them and follow their progress on social media. Even if you don't wind up with them, you'll have a standard to reach for.

There are a few ways to apply to Internships in Bangalore. You can go straight to the company's website to see if they've posted any openings. You can look on search engines where you can filter internships based on location, type, and more.

In some cases, you can find internships through third party providers. If you are a current student and you're interested in getting college credit for the work experience, you can start by talking to the international office on your campus. This option will likely be the most expensive, but getting the internship placement is almost always a guarantee.

Cost of Living in Bangalore

Most internships in Bangalore will last from two to six months, however you might come across an occasional one month or one year. How long you'll be there affects every other part of the planning process including where to live, how much money to have saved up, and which clothes to pack.

Some companies will provide assistance in finding accommodation, others might even be able to house you for the entirety of your stay. If you are expected to find your own lodging, and you don't want to commit to a place before seeing it in person, you can always stay at a hotel or hostel for the first week or two until you can find something more long term. AirBnB is another inexpensive short-term option.

The cost of living in India is less than it is in the United States, but it's still a good idea to have money saved up before you start the internship. Here are some average costs to give you an idea of how much to save.

An inexpensive meal will cost 2-3 US Dollars.

A loaf of bread is about 50 cents.

A monthly transportation pass is under 20 US Dollars.

Utilities are around 22 US Dollars per month.

Rent for a one bedroom apartment in the city center is about 250 US Dollars per month.

Work Culture in Bangalore

You can expect day-to-day life to be different than your normal schedule as most companies start their work day a little later than Americans. Even so, if you are utilizing public transportation, you will want to leave early because Bangalore is known for heavy traffic. If you're walking to work, be prepared with sunscreen and an umbrella for protection from both the rain and the sun.

Work and Labor Laws

You will need to apply for an internship visa. This visa will last up to one year or for the length of your internship, whichever is shorter. Right after you arrive in India you will need to visit the Foreigner's Registration Office if you will be be in India for longer than 180 days.

As with any plan to travel internationally, it's wise to be aware of basic dos and don'ts. It's a good idea to know a few basic phrases in Hindi, but many people in the city will speak English.

Don't be overly trustful of cab drivers and tour guides. Also be wary of roadside vendors and small restaurants. However, some of the best (and cheapest at $1-$4) food can be found at street kiosks and food trucks. The best plan is to eat at places that have been recommended by people you know. Avoid tap water, drink bottled.

Other tips to consider:

Be careful when crossing the street, or just don't cross at all

The crime rate is low, but don't carry too much cash around and go out in groups at night

Use mosquito repellent

International health insurance is recommended (medical, theft, and loss)

The program allowed me to choose what I really wanted to gain out of the internship whilst being immersed into new things that I would not normally have the resources and confidence to undertake back...